The heterotopic heart transplantation in mice as a small animal model to study mechanical unloading – Establishment of the procedure, perioperative management and postoperative scoring - Fig 5

a-c: Schematic illustration of the arterial anastomosis on the abdominal aorta (Ao), while the broken line indicates the inferior vena cava (IVC). Fig 5A shows the proximal and distal anchor stitch. Fig 5B shows the continuously running suture on the left side from the distal anchor stitch towards the proximal anchor stitch. Fig 5C shows the right side of the arterial anastomosis after the heart was carefully flipped over to the left side of the abdomen.